Nothing in Common (1986)

Taglines: It’s a comedy. And a drama. Just like life.

David Basner is a successful advertising executive who has it all: Money, happiness, and women who want him. Then one day his world falls apart when his mother leaves his father. Now, he must balance his life between his mother, who is happy with her newfound independence, and his father, a recently laid off salesman who is hard-headed, stubborn, and hides a lot from David. Now David must cope with the downfall of his family and his life.

Nothing in Common is an American comedy-drama film directed by Garry Marshall. It stars Tom Hanks and Jackie Gleason in what would prove to be Gleason’s final film role; he was suffering from terminal cancer.

The film was not a great financial success in initial release, but it became more popular as Hanks’ fame grew. It is considered by some to be a pivotal role in Hanks’ career because it marked his transition from less developed comedic roles to leads in more serious stories, and many critics also praised Gleason’s performance.